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Reverend Paul Collings BTh (Hons) - - - - paul.collings@methodist.org.uk - - - - 01392 206229 - - - - 07941 880768

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Thursday, 14 April 2022

Stations of the Cross


Jesus is stripped of His garments,

John 19:23, When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24 “Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.” This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled that said, “They divided my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.” So this is what the soldiers did.


Psalm 22:16  Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. 17 All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. 18  They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.


The woven clothe; all that remains

That clothed his loving sacred fames.

With lots they cast for his attire;

Who’ll win the spoil, this robe acquire?


O Lord, who spoke of Lilies fair

Now stripped, and drawn into their lair.

Prepared for death, you face the fate

And out of love, confound their hate.


Teach me, my Lord, to put aside

All that would cover, even hide

That truth, that peace, that love perfects

And  by your grace my soul protects.


© 2020 Paul Collings


Lord Jesus, you were stripped of your garments, exposed to shame, cast out of society. You took upon yourself the shame of Adam, and you healed it. You also take upon yourself the sufferings and the needs of the poor, the outcasts and the refugees of our world. And in this very way you fulfil the words of the prophets. This is how you bring meaning into apparent meaninglessness. This is how you make us realise that your Father holds you, us, and the whole world in his hands. Give us a profound respect for man at every stage of his existence, and in all the situations in which we encounter him. Clothe us in the light of your grace. Amen


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